Image Credit:© SHAWN THEW/Pool via USA TODAY NETWORK
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) criticized Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) on Tuesday over his decision to side with Republicans last week in a vote to avert a government shutdown. While speaking at a press conference in San Francisco, Pelosi expressed concerns over Schumer’s approach, arguing that he conceded too much to the GOP in the process.
Despite her criticism, Pelosi stated that she still has confidence in Schumer’s leadership of the Senate Democratic caucus but suggested that he did not negotiate aggressively enough before announcing his decision to vote in favor of the Republican-backed funding measure.
“I myself don’t give away anything for nothing,” Pelosi said.
“I think that’s what happened the other day.”
Pelosi contended that Senate Democrats could have pursued an alternative approach by pushing for a short-term extension that would have kept government funding in place for 30 days while negotiations for a long-term agreement continued.
“We could have in my view, perhaps gotten [Republicans] to agree to a third way,” she said, referring to the proposal advanced by congressional Democrats.
She added that even if Republicans had refused the offer, it would have made clear to the public who was responsible for a potential shutdown.
“They may not have agreed to it, but at least the public would have seen them not agreeing to it – then [Republicans] would have been shutting the government down,” Pelosi argued.
Ahead of the vote last week, Pelosi urged Senate Democrats to oppose Schumer’s decision to support the six-month spending bill. In a statement, she framed the debate as a false choice between a shutdown or a measure that she said would harm working families.
“Donald Trump and Elon Musk have offered Congress a false choice between a government shutdown or a blank check that makes a devastating assault on the well-being of working families across America,” Pelosi said.
“[T]his false choice that some are buying instead of fighting is unacceptable,” she added.
Schumer has faced significant backlash from left-wing lawmakers following his decision to help advance the spending bill. However, he defended his actions in an appearance on ABC’s “The View” on Tuesday, arguing that a government shutdown would have created widespread disruption.
“I knew it was a difficult choice,” Schumer said of his vote to end debate on the continuing resolution. “But I felt as a leader I had to do it.”
Despite her remarks about Schumer’s handling of the situation, Pelosi indicated that she is ready to move past the spending fight and focus on future legislative battles.
“I’m concerned about the next time. I’m concerned about the future,” she said.
“What happened last week was last week. We’re going into the future.”
Schumer received public support from House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), who appeared alongside him at an event on Tuesday. Jeffries’ show of support for the Senate leader signaled an effort among Democrats to present a unified front following the controversy surrounding the vote.
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